According to the decision, four employees were suspended -- Tôn Thất Hoàng, deputy head of Đắk G’long District’s forest protection station and in charge of the forest protection station in Quảng Sơn Commune; Phạm Văn Anh, deputy head of the unit; and Y Huôn and Đỗ Thiên Long, rangers of the unit.

The suspension is effective from April 28 to May 15.

The decision is aimed at reviewing, clarifying and determining the responsibilities of the four officials and then taking disciplinary action related to the large scale destruction of forest cover in the commune.

Due to the seriousness of the incident, the authorised agency is waiting for the investigation results of the police to apply disciplinary measures against the officials.

If an offender is found to have committed a criminal act, he will be transferred to the police to prosecute in accordance with the regulations.

The authorised agency has also prosecuted and detained nine subjects in connection with the destruction of more than 46ha of forest in Quảng Sơn Commune, as reported by the media.